Dog rescued from water in Whitehaven
The young Red Setter fell from the West Pier sea wall
The Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre Belfast Coastguard has tasked Whitehaven Coastguard Rescue Team and two Full Time Officer in the area, after a 999 call, reporting a dog in the water at Whitehaven Marina.
The young Red Setter had fallen from the West Pier sea wall, landing in the water outside the pier walls. It survived the fall and managed to scramble onto the concave sea wall below. However, each incoming swell was knocking it back into the water, leaving it increasingly distressed and injured, by the barnacles covering the wall.
An angler who witnessed the incident, along with the dog’s owner, did exactly the right thing by calling 999 and asking for the Coastguard. As more members of the public gathered on the pier wall, there was also a growing risk that someone could enter the water themselves, either accidentally, or in an attempt to rescue the dog.
On arrival, Coastguard Rescue Officers immediately deployed two rescue swimmers on tethered lines. One from each end of West Pier, to safely reach and recover the dog. Meanwhile, St Bees RNLI was launched to provide a secondary option. Cumbria Police/Copeland Police were also in attendance and helped ensure the public were kept at a safe distance.
Once the dog had been brought to safety, Coastguard Rescue Officers provided first aid to its injured paws, before the owners transported it to a vet for further treatment. St Bees RNLI was stood down on arrival, once both rescue swimmers were out of the water.
The Coastguard is reminding everyone visiting the coast to please park considerately and never block access points. The team experienced a slight delay reaching this incident, due to poor parking. Keeping access routes clear allows emergency vehicles and equipment to get as close to an incident as possible — potentially saving valuable minutes when every second counts.
In a coastal, sea, or cliff emergency, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.